Learn - What is SCORM?

In this article, we'll explain what SCORM is and why it matters to LMS administrators. We'll also share some useful links to help deepen your knowledge. 

We try to avoid using jargon wherever we can but sometimes it's not possible - and SCORM is an example of that. SCORM is an industry term you'll hear a lot when you first start working with LMS.

You may also hear of AICC content. Unlike SCORM eLearning which is added directly to an LMS, AICC content is hosted on the vendors site and results are sent to Learn. 

What is SCORM?

Think of SCORM as the language that eLearning uses to communicate with an LMS. For example, when a learner completes an eLearning resource, the eLearning will send to the LMS the status of the learning to update on the learners training record. This may be ' passed' or 'Complete' for example. That status can be communicated between the learning and the LMS because SCORM is a universal format, understood by both the content, and the LMS.

SCORM is an industry-standard format used by eLearning authoring tools and all LMS - including Learn. It means that content produced anywhere can be shared in an LMS, regardless of who created it and in which authoring tool - as long as it is published as SCORM, it will be able to communicate with any LMS.

Authoring tools often permit many file types to be published in SCORM format (you may have heard the term 'SCORM wrapped') in order that they can be uploaded to an LMS. For more details about SCORM including technical details, visit scorm.com. 

Note: Kallidus Learn does not support multi-sco SCORM packages.

How to add SCORM content to Learn LMS

Once published from an authoring tool such as Articulate or 'Captivate, SCORM content can be imported into Learn LMS using the Import Wizard. Note that the Import wizard can also be used to import PDF, XLS, PPT and Word files. 

Reporting completion statuses

Typically, a SCORM eLearning package will send to Learn a Users’ Lesson Status, Score, and date of completion. Lesson status will be one of the following status pairs (depending on the eLearning configuration):

• Passed/Incomplete
• Passed/Failed
• Completed/Incomplete
• Completed/Failed

Note: When reporting Users’ status for SCORM eLearning, it is important to understand exactly which status pairs the eLearning is configured to communicate with Learn. This is specified when the eLearning project is published and cannot be changed in Learn.

Differences when working with SCORM 2004

In addition to the summary detail available when publishing content to SCORM1.2, SCORM2004 can report the answers to individual questions. This can be valuable information for L&D teams, as it can help to identify any questions that are consistently being answered incorrectly. This may indicate that either the quiz question or the eLearning itself is unclear. 

The process for importing SCORM 2004 content is the same as the process for importing all SCORM, PDF, XLS, PPT and Word files, however, once imported an additional child Lesson is created. View the 'Differences when importing SCORM2004' article for more detail. 

SCORM cloud - test your content outside of Learn LMS

Sometimes SCORM content doesn't quite work as you'd expect, and when that happens it can be useful to play the content outside of Learn LMS to identify where the problem lies. Is it with the content, or is the problem in Learn LMS? SCORM Cloud lets you do just that. Find out more on the SCORM cloud website.